2019 is here, and even if you haven’t made a personal resolution, you can still make a professional one. Whether your small business wants to focus internally or externally, there are plenty of resolutions to make that will help your business grow and accomplish its goals throughout the year. Here are seven small business resolutions you can work to achieve in 2019.

1. Try Automating Certain Business Processes

If 2018 was a year of rapid growth for your small business, you might look to expand into additional coverage areas. Instead of hiring new staff members, try automating some of your business processes to save you time and money. For example, use QuickBooks to manage your books. Digitize whatever you can as well. If you’re still sending out invoices, try encouraging clients to sign up to receive bills electronically to save on postage.

2. Delegate More Tasks

Managers everywhere talk about delegation, but is your small business putting it into practice? Although it can feel challenging to hand off an essential task to someone else, it’s an important choice that frees up your time for other areas. For example, if you’re the CEO of a small business, try delegating invoices to someone else in the company. Then, you have more time to network with employees and clients and build your business.

3. Secure Financing

Small businesses at every stage need cash. Whether your new business needs startup capital or your established company needs some extra cash to cover expenses during slow months, it’s essential to secure financing in the New Year.

Take time to learn what your financial options are, like a traditional bank loan, SBA loan or a line of credit. Your bank can help you secure the funds and make sure you’re in good financial shape for 2019.

4. Communicate More Effectively

Better communication is a broad goal, but you can tailor it to the needs of your specific small business. For example, maybe you want to communicate better with your clients or potential clients in 2019 by responding to their comments on your post. Or, perhaps your goal is to communicate more effectively with your employees. Whatever the case, make a strong communication plan and follow through with it all year.

5. Focus on Professional Development

Running a small business is hard work and takes up a good chunk of your time. With such a busy schedule, it can be a struggle to find time for professional development opportunities. A great resolution for 2019 is to dedicate time to your personal and professional development. If this goal is valuable to you, try implementing it with your employees as well. You can set monthly webinars or have speakers come in to help employees learn.

6. Start a Blog

If the content on your site needs a facelift, 2019 is a great time to make it happen. Try starting a blog to put fresh content on your site daily, weekly or monthly. Engaging content on a blog can give your customers helpful information and further solidify their relationship with your brand. Identify some topics with SEO value at the beginning of the year, and make it a goal to keep the content coming from January to December.

7. Support Other Small Businesses

Chances are, you remember what it was like to build a business from the ground up. Now that you have established your small business, another resolution for 2019 could be to pay it forward to others in your shoes. Shop at other small businesses when you can and talk to fellow business owners in your community about working on a joint marketing campaign. Pooling funds will help other businesses, plus it will get your name out in the community in a new way.

Make 2019 Your Best Year Yet

Take time out of your schedule during January to sit down and outline some goals for your small business. Do you want to communicate with employees more? Delegate more tasks? Partner with other small businesses? Whatever your goals are, following through with them could make 2019 your best year.

About the Author: Kayla Matthews writes about communication and workplace productivity on her blog, Productivity Theory. Her work has also appeared on Talent Culture, MakeUseOf, The Muse and Fast Company.

Co-working office spaces are popping up all over the country and inspiring people to look at office culture in a new way. In the past five years, co-working office spaces have grown 21 percent and are expected to grow two to four percent more each year.

What Is a Co-Working Office Space?

Co-working office spaces are designated workspaces shared among remote and independent workers who want the sense of an office without the competitive corporate atmosphere. In addition to offering desks and work lounges, co-working spaces often provide other office amenities like meeting and conference rooms, coffee machines and kitchens. The goal is to provide a productive working environment with a better culture than the traditional cubicle or home office.

Co-working office spaces provide a sense of community that you could normally get in the typical office environment — without the office politics. Workers who feel alienated and disconnected working from home or in a solitary space can take advantage of a co-working office, connecting with others and the working culture again.

Networking Opportunities

Being with other professionals who are working in different industries and fields offers a prime opportunity to broaden your network. A small chat at the co-working kitchen or sharing a desk with someone you wouldn’t normally interact with could spark a potential partnership and friendship. Plus, you never know what ranks of professionals are sharing your space and can provide referrals and recommendations.

Affordable Space

The average cost of a co-working office space is about $295 a month depending on location. Included are electricity, internet, air, heating and maintenance. Unlike in traditional office spaces, desks, chairs and other office furniture is provided. Some facilities even offer additional amenities, making it a better value than a traditional office.

Flexibility

With a co-working space, you use it when you need it. You’re not obligated to be there from nine to five or any other set of hours like in a traditional office, and you don’t have to be committed to using the space for longer than you want to. Co-working office spaces offer shorter lease and contract periods than typical office spaces.

Drawbacks of Co-Working Office Spaces

Even with all the benefits that co-working office spaces provide, there are drawbacks too, including the following.

Distractions

The best thing you can do to help your productivity is to eliminate distractions. But when you’re working in a space that’s open to everyone, there are ample opportunities to become distracted.

Co-working office spaces are usually open-air and made for individuals who are coming and going. With people constantly moving around, arriving and leaving, your eyes can get drawn away from work. Plus, without walls to block sound, you can hear everyone’s phone calls, cell phone vibrations and music unless you have headphones in.

Lack of a Designated Spot and Privacy

When you become comfortable in a certain place, you assume ownership. Because co-working spaces are shared, the spot you’ve come to be most productive at might be taken the next day, and you can’t personalize your desk without taking pictures and supplies home each day.

Most co-working spaces are also open air, which means everyone sees and hears what you do.

Hidden Fees

Some co-working office spaces aren’t all-inclusive. There may be hidden fees or costs in addition to the amount you pay to rent your space, including:

Commuting or transportation costs

Purchasing food and drinks

Renting a locker or other storage

Printing and copying charges

Reserving a meeting or conference room

Things to Consider

Before you select and lease a co-working or other office space, here are some things to consider:

Location

Length of lease or contract

Workspace layout

Internet speed

Amenities

Security

Choosing Your Office Space

When it comes to considering a traditional office or co-working office space, determine which one fits your productivity style. Changing your environment could be just the move you need to amp up your productivity and get things done.

About the Author: Kayla Matthews writes about communication and workplace productivity on her blog, Productivity Theory. Her work has also appeared on Talent Culture, MakeUseOf, The Muse and Fast Company.

Workplace morale boosters are valuable to any company. They show your employees you care. If you have high employee morale in your office, you’ll have better performers. There’s less stress, which decreases turnover and increases productivity.

Engaging your employees is always a win-win, but you don’t have to break the bank to do it. The funds and effort you do put toward it will pay off in the end, so why aren’t you participating? Check out the following six simple and affordable ideas for boosting morale in your office.

Provide Healthy Snacks for Employees

Healthy office snacks and meals have the power to raise productivity levels and your employees’ overall spirit. Staff members often feel they don’t even have the time to stop and feed themselves. They may have too many back-to-back meetings and just too much work to do.

Make it convenient for your employees to be healthy and well-fed, and keep your office stocked with easy-to-grab snacks like granola bars, nuts and individual popcorn bags. If you have the means, order a healthy lunch spread for your office. Employees appreciate these kinds of gestures more than you realize — especially since they’re able to keep working and still eat.

Have an Office Dog Day

This one is a bit tricky if your building has rules against pets, but many office buildings now allow them, with restrictions that pertain to certain breeds. Check with your landlord or building owner, then consider one day per week, like Fridays, or even just one day a month, to allow employees the option to bring their furry friends to work for the day.

Of course, employees will be held liable for any potential issues that may arise, but with good judgment, this strategy could be a great way to reward your employees. Dogs can also strengthen bonds between colleagues and improve mental health. They can motivate employees to go outside, decrease stress and promote mental breaks — as well as a load of other positive results.

If you have employees who are allergic to dogs or are not particularly fond of their presence, there are plenty of ways to get around it. Try planning an office picnic where employees can bring their dogs. This way, those employees who are allergic won’t be confined to a closed-in office with pet dander.

Throw an Office Party

Yes, every office usually throws a holiday party once per year, but you shouldn’t wait 12 months to get all of your team members together on a more casual and comfortable level. Plan fun events for employees, like a chili cook-off, lunch potluck or holiday party to celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving or another occasion that’s coming up. Have fun and set up an ugly sweater contest. The options are endless.

This time gives employees a chance to mingle with one another, enjoy great food and bond more with colleagues and as a team. If you decide to have a party or gathering after hours, give employees the opportunity to invite their spouses or significant others.

Set up an Office Happy Hour

Happy hour doesn’t always have to entail alcoholic beverages. You can hold a happy hour once a month. Try a Thursday or Friday at 4 p.m., before employees leave for the day, in the office lounge area or break room.

Serve an array of wine and beer, or opt for soft drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages. Order or pick up some tasty snacks, like nachos and queso from your favorite Mexican restaurant nearby or pizza for everyone to munch on. You can even go off-site to someplace fun so that you’re away from your typical work environment. This plan is yet another great way to encourage employees to get to know each other more outside of meetings and other projects.

Provide a Food Truck Lunch

Everyone loves a good food truck, and the great thing about them is that they’re mobile. Many offices have been trying out food trucks during employees’ lunch hours. This move is easy and convenient because people don’t have to go off-site, but if they didn’t bring their lunch, they still have the option to eat something different.

Book a taco truck for taco Tuesday or a BBQ truck during the summertime months. You can even book an ice-cream sandwich food truck or perhaps a coffee truck. If it’s in the budget, this option is also a great way to give thanks to your employees and let them choose a treat without having to pay.

Do Fun Team-Building Activities

Having a strong team vibe in your environment is essential to success. If employees aren’t connecting, their performance won’t be as great as it could be. Send out an email to everyone to ask if they want to go to a football game together or maybe lunch off-site. Escape rooms and Top Golf are also great team activities that everyone can enjoy. Consider an activity where employees can volunteer together.

Whatever you decide to do, bringing the team together will definitely make employees feel engaged and connected. Help to make your staff feel like work is more than just a job. If they feel they have a higher purpose, they’re more likely to perform better in their day-to-day duties. Empower your employees, and make them feel respected, appreciated and valued.

Boost Morale for a Better Work Life

Show that you care with necessary actions like rewarding good work and granting time off, but also take it a step further. The above six ideas are not only affordable, but they’re also sure to make your employees feel good.

Whether you choose to add healthy snacks to your break rooms, launch an employee dog day or plan a team activity at a local shelter, you won’t regret making the extra effort to boost morale in your office.

About the Author: Kayla Matthews writes about communication and workplace productivity on her blog, Productivity Theory. Her work has also appeared on Talent Culture, MakeUseOf, The Muse and Fast Company.

Back then, it meant gathering enough kindling to build a proper fire, or carrying a canteen with extra water.

Now, it means periodically reviewing and reflecting on what’s ahead for my business. At the end of Q3, it’s good to look way back to January to see what your goals were.

Don’t beat yourself up if your current self hasn’t lived up to the hype of your January self. You’ve still got three months to pull out a victory (or two) if you don’t get distracted.

Here’s a handy checklist that will help you do a quick check-in and reset as we move into Q4 2017.

Review How Your Marketing Campaigns Worked So Far

Look through your key metrics for campaigns you ran the first two thirds of the year. How did they do? Do the results mean you need to shift priorities through the end of the year? If something isn’t working, stop doing it.

Prepare Your Content Calendar

If you’re blogging and/or sharing on social media (and hopefully you are), take some time to stockpile some content ideas and schedule them on your content calendar of choice. When the holidays start approaching, you’ll be able to have a pumpkin spice latte instead of scrambling for topics.

Make Sure You’re Up To Date with SEO Shifts

Google changes its algorithm a few hundred times a year; have you changed your SEO strategy this year? Of course you always want to keep your customers’ needs in the forefront of your content planning, but you should also be aware of shifting search priorities. Moz is my go-to resource for SEO.

Leverage End-of-Year Spending

Yes, it feels as though the end of the year is “looming,” but there’s some silver lining in there. Consider offering a special discount or bonus for new customers in Q4. Some organizations end up with budget to spend at the end of the year. You might be able to nudge indecisive prospects with a special deal.

Don’t Coast

It’s tempting to ditch accountability if you haven’t achieved your lofty goals for 2017 yet. Don’t do it! If it’s been a lackluster year, choose just one of your goals and hit it hard now. Set your mind on how great you’ll feel as you put your feet up in December by the fire. Break it down into weekly tasks, and get after it.

If you want to share your “one goal” with us here in the comments, we will cheer you on!

Home business owners rarely think about business assets, and when they do, there is one asset they often overlook.

When you work for yourself it is not unusual to become engulfed in the pursuit of income and forget to invest in your most important asset.

Your Most Important Business Asset

Your health is your greatest business asset and you should treat it as such.

With all the activities that need attention in a home business combined with the busy lifestyle of the 21st century, it is easy for a business owner to put their health aside for future consideration, but this is a big mistake.

When your life is balanced between personal and business time, you can prioritize your health and be a more productive employee working for yourself.

Working with a schedule is often the best way to go. Create a schedule that matches the results you want in your business.

If you want a full-time income then plan to work full-time hours. Schedule 40 hours a week for business activities.

For those who want a part-time work-at-home commission schedule, your work hours need to be between 20-30 per week.

While the desired income won’t immediately start flowing, a consistent, steady and balanced schedule that you consistently and steadily work year-round will create the income you desire.

When you take personal time off, you will be more productive and focused in the office. Many major corporations are switching their work ethics to a balanced approach as science shows that fewer work hours and more personal time makes for better employees.

Less work means less stress and a more productive worker.

There is nothing more important than your health because without it, you have no life.

Take the time to exercise! You don’t have to go to the gym, just incorporate everyday activities such as a simple walk to make a big impact on your long-term health.

Health Is Your Best Business Asset

Rarely do we equate the food we eat to our work performance, but what we eat affects us more than we think!

Did you ever notice how difficult it is to concentrate when you are hungry?

Food has a direct impact on our cognitive performance, which is why a poor decision at lunch can derail an entire afternoon.

When you make poor food choices you can have a tough time staying focused and performance drops.

Make a plan to eat three small balanced meals a day and three healthy snacks in between to satisfy between-meal cravings and prioritize your health!

Your Best Business Asset

Your health is the best business asset you have. Invest in it regularly and it will pay off handsomely.

If you work hard and make a fortune it will mean nothing if you don’t protect your greatest business asset… your health.

About the Author:Deb Bixler is a trained chef turned passionate speaker who focuses on sales education and healthy living. As a party plan trainer she focuses on systems for direct sellers at the CashFlowShowRadio.com and her healthy food website can be found at WowFoodTips.com.

If your work involves spending any significant amount of time online, you’re always going to be vulnerable to distraction.

Ooh pictures of baby hedgehogs…

Every tab you keep open in your browser represents an opportunity to wander down the garden path. That’s fantastic if you need creative inspiration or you’re spending some downtime. It’s destructive if you’re working against a deadline or trying to “move the big rocks.”

Hey, a new recipe for enchiladas…

Today, I wanted to share my single most effective productivity secret weapon. (Full disclosure: my amazing husband kept telling me about this and I only recently downloaded and fell in love with it.)

It’s called Pocket and if you use it effectively, it can really keep you focused and organized.

Once you sign up for an account, you have a space where you can save articles or web pages of interest. There’s a browser-based interface and an app for your phone, so you can save things from anywhere.

The superpower comes in when you use the browser extension button (it’s available for Chrome, Safari, Opera, and MS Edge). With the extension, you get a tiny magic button in your browser bar. Any time you find yourself on a distracting website, just click the magic button and it’s saved for later.

Yes, you can save fun things like hedgehog pictures and recipes, but you can also use tagging to organize and separate the leisure items in the list from the business-related content. I’ve got tags set up for “research” and “marketing planning” as well as “recipes.”

Sometimes magic happens when the random content you’ve been reading collides with a real-world business requirement. Remember the scene in Working Girl where Melanie Griffith pulls out her “idea” folder and shows Mr. Trask how she put together Trask and radio?

Pocket is my “idea” folder and my distraction terminator. Did I mention that it’s free for most functions? There is also a premium option that adds advanced search, permanent saving of pages (protects against website changes), and other goodies.

I wasn’t asked to promote Pocket, and I’m not an official “ambassador,” but it’s made such a big difference to me that I had to share it!

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